Your Guide to Medical Imaging Equipment

Enjoy these tips, tricks and insights that answer 100's of questions we've received from radiology and imaging professionals that need help buying, selling, servicing and maintaining their medical imaging equipment: MRI, CT, C-Arm, Digital X-ray, PET/CT and Women's Health. We extend the life of imaging equipment so that health care providers worldwide can extend the lives of patients. This is why we answer your imaging equipment questions.

Every day our team talks with people that tell us they want to start using digital X-ray but that they need to go digital at or below a certain price point. The good news for all of these people is that there is more than one way to go digital, and each method can accommodate a different price point as well as meet a different set of needs.

Take a look at the digital X-ray options below to begin building an idea of what might be the best fit for your facility's next solution.

Option 1: CR Reader

The least expensive way to take your current analog X-ray system digital is to purchase a CR reader to go with it. You take your shots on a specialized CR cassette, feed it through your reader, and voila - you have a digital image.

A CR reader is the least expensive option - even more so if you take advantage of the wide availability of used systems. CR is also certainly much faster and more cost-effective than film processing. It is, however, the least time-efficient method of going digital due to the time it takes to transport and scan the cassettes.

Option 2: Digital X-raySystem

On the other end of the spectrum is a factory-born digital radiography (DR) unit. These are, by far, the most expensive way to go digital. They offer big advantages over CR in terms of image processing times. There are no cassettes involved and the time between image acquisition and complete digital rendering on the physician workstation is a matter of seconds. There can also be an appreciable image quality benefit in using a fully digital room as opposed to an analog room with a CR.

Image quality and acquisition time are comparable between factory DR systems and analog systems retrofitted with DR panels (option 3). The primary advantage a factory system holds over a retrofit is that many models feature automated movements that can further streamline the overall efficiency of an X-ray room in moving patients through as expeditiously as possible.This option is generally only cost-effective for facilities with exceptionally high patient volume and fairly thick budgets.

Option 3: Retrofit Analog X-Ray with a Digital Detector

In our experience working with X-ray buyers from a wide variety of needs and budgets, this option is, more often than not, the most cost-effective. DR detector retrofits work with any X-ray system and, like a factory DR sytem, they eliminate cassettes, improve image quality, and acquire and render images in seconds. Like a CR reader, they allow you to continue using your existing X-ray room without the need to remove large pieces of equipment or remodel your room.

DR detectors are also available in several styles:

Fixed Detectors: The detector is installed into the chest stand of the existing system. An excellect option for chiropractic X-ray rooms or in combination with a second detector in the table tray. A dual-detector setup eliminates the need to swap the detector between procedures.

Tethered Detectors: The detector is movable from the chest stand to the table, depending on which type of shot you need. It communicates with the workstation through a single cable. This option is a good fit for low-mid volume facilites where moving the detector will be relatively minimal.

Wireless Detectors: The detector is powered by a battery and communicates with the workstation wirelessly. It is free to move between chest stand and table and even to be used with a portable X-ray traveling around a facility. Wireless is a good fit for mid-high volume facilities or facilities that frequently use portable X-ray systems.

Other than the panel itself (the same size as a cassette) the only new pieces a retrofit kit brings into your space are a computer (desktop or laptop options available), a control box about the size of a wifi router, and - if your panel is wireless - a battery charger.

As we mentioned earlier, the automation offered by some factory DR models can bring even more efficiency to the table, but the volume and performance needs of most facilities are well-met at the price point of a DR detector retrofit.

The Takeaway

Whenever you're ready to upgrade from analog X-ray to digital, you certainly won't be locked into any single option. Whether your needs and budget have you leaning toward a CR, a retrofit, or a full replacement, there is a solution that can take your X-ray capabilities to the next level affordably.

If you'd like to start an upgrade conversation today, you can contact our X-ray product specialists to talk the options over. If you'd like to learn more about the options on your own, you can check out any of our other free resources to do so:

Tim Mustapha is the Product Manager for X-Ray Equipment at Block Imaging. Along with product knowledge and industry insight, he strives to bring his passion for building working relationships to every project he’s part of. When he’s not helping people make great equipment decisions, Tim loves spending time with his wife and 5 children, playing sports, and geeking out on Star Wars.

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masoud seiedi

Sir, Hi We are pleased to inform you: Our Office in Tajikistan has revised request equipment to purchase 1.Medical Digital X-ray machine stationary(new). 2.Medical X-ray apparatus(new). We hope that you will be Following the technical bid and the price is very important Tajikistan to seek better options for cheap! Easy to install and easy to use ! Delivery will be in place before the Customs Dushanbe Financial conditions! Is it possible for us to settle accounts with credit(LC) back to back there? We're waiting for your technical and financial proposal to finish this week'. A few issues: Tajikistan are not rich. The winning bidder will take this into consideration. They have old equipment from the Soviet times. Or have poor-quality equipment from China We need a digital X-ray system is stationary, and the need of a stand (like the image that is requested ) These systems can be simple and trustful I'm sure you know what your system is so good. I hope the offer is good. Tender's time at this Friday. Next month, I'm waiting for requests larger Please announce your financial situation and deliver the products, as well as your mind

venkataswamy

i have a diagnostic centre in which i have setup a digital X ray unit at cheaper cost. Please good solution for the same.

Dharmendra Tiwari

Price for xray machine 300 mm

DR.M.ANWAR

I want to install digital x rays unit help for better advise

AJAY KUMAR

Sir i want to open a new digital x ray centre recently .please can you advice me.

Tim Mustapha

Dear Ajay,
Thanks so much for your message. We can certainly help you with the imaging equipment for a digital X-ray center. I'm available directly at 517-999-7021 to discuss live or if you prefer email please feel free to contact me at tsmustapha@blockimaging.com
I look forward to working with you!
Have a great day!
Tim

Tim Mustapha

Hello Trupesh,
Thanks so much for the message and checking out our blog. We are happy to help you with a new radroom. I'll contact you directly to discuss details.
Have a wonderful!
Tim
Product Manager - X-ray

R. Sullivan

Have available.
Privately owned.
Not a dealer or broker.
Phillips PCR Compano
Model-CR-IR 346 RU
Year Manufactured - May 2002
Complete with IBM computer hardware.
Includes a Kodak DryView 8100
Base your offer for only the PCR. The DryView will be included at no cost, other than shipping.
Accepting any reasonable offer.

Dr. Roland Brim

Is this unit available? If so, how much do you want. Where are you located? Dr. Brim

Marcos Cuenca

can we use it in mammography equipment?

rashed ali

Want to set up a new diagnostics centre. .plz advise me about all the equipments

justice hikwa

In my home country they is short fall of X ray mansions .people are suffering some die because of shortage of equipment .I live in United Kingdom ..looking to purchase or look for donation of full x ray machine which can help people in my home town of bulawayo zimbabwe .due to stability of my country equipment is out dated not serviced.it really causes or makes Doctors and nurses jobs difficulty saving or treating patients .Thank you looking forward for your assistance

I am Friland Lekka-X-ray Supervisor at a government hospital Pohnpei State ,which is an island state in the country of the Federated States of Micronesia. We currently using an analog GE AMX-IV model, We in the process of upgrading it to a digital capability along to either wire or wireless DR Detector. Please we near your advice. where do we start and how much will it cost?

hello dear sir/madam
we are in proccess of making of orthopedic and traumatology clinic we need a X-ray for clinic please i need some information please help me in choese and purches contact me 00380660201008

Option two is normally the x-ray system that's used in the radiology department. I just want to know when you'd use the other two. It sounds like the other system options are usually used in smaller offices. Do they all do the same thing or do some have better performance?

About Us

Radiology and Imaging professionals come to us when they need help buying, selling, servicing and maintaining their medical imaging equipment: MRI, CT, C-Arm, Digital X-ray, PET/CT and Women's Health. We extend the life of imaging equipment so that healthcare providers worldwide can extend the lives of patients.